Thegirllaugheddelightedly，andhereeyesfilledwithpleasanttears，asheputbothhisarmsroundherwaistandsoheldher。
　　'Thereareyouandme，Charley，whenfatherwasawayatworkandlockedusout，forfearweshouldsetourselvesafireorfalloutofwindow，sittingonthedoor-sill，sittingonotherdoor-steps，sittingonthebankoftheriver，wanderingabouttogetthroughthetime。
　　Youareratherheavytocarry，Charley，andIamoftenobligedtorest。Sometimeswearesleepyandfallasleeptogetherinacorner，sometimesweareveryhungry，sometimeswearealittlefrightened，butwhatisoftenestharduponusisthecold。Youremember，Charley?'
　　'Iremember，'saidtheboy，pressinghertohimtwiceorthrice，'thatIsnuggledunderalittleshawl，anditwaswarmthere。'
　　'Sometimesitrains，andwecreepunderaboatorthelikeofthat:
　　sometimesit'sdark，andwegetamongthegaslights，sittingwatchingthepeopleastheygoalongthestreets。Atlast，upcomesfatherandtakesushome。Andhomeseemssuchashelterafteroutofdoors！Andfatherpullsmyshoesoff，anddriesmyfeetatthefire，andhasmetositbyhimwhilehesmokeshispipelongafteryouareabed，andInoticethatfather'sisalargehandbutneveraheavyonewhenittouchesme，andthatfather'sisaroughvoicebutneveranangryonewhenitspeakstome。So，Igrowup，andlittlebylittlefathertrustsme，andmakesmehiscompanion，and，lethimbeputoutashemay，neveroncestrikesme。'
　　Thelisteningboygaveagrunthere，asmuchastosay'ButhestrikesMEthough！'
　　'Thosearesomeofthepicturesofwhatispast，Charley。'
　　'Cutawayagain，'saidtheboy，'andgiveusafortune-tellingone；afutureone。'
　　'Well！ThereamI，continuingwithfatherandholdingtofather，becausefatherlovesmeandIlovefather。Ican'tsomuchasreadabook，because，ifIhadlearned，fatherwouldhavethoughtIwasdesertinghim，andIshouldhavelostmyinfluence。IhavenottheinfluenceIwanttohave，IcannotstopsomedreadfulthingsItrytostop，butIgooninthehopeandtrustthatthetimewillcome。InthemeanwhileIknowthatIaminsomethingsastaytofather，andthatifIwasnotfaithfultohimhewould——inrevenge-like，orindisappointment，orboth——gowildandbad。'
　　'Giveusatouchofthefortune-tellingpicturesaboutme。'
　　'Iwaspassingontothem，Charley，'saidthegirl，whohadnotchangedherattitudesinceshebegan，andwhonowmournfullyshookherhead；'theotherswereallleadingup。Thereareyou——'
　　'WhereamI，Liz?'
　　'Stillinthehollowdownbytheflare。'
　　'Thereseemstobethedeuce-and-allinthehollowdownbytheflare，'saidtheboy，glancingfromhereyestothebrazier，whichhadagrislyskeletonlookonitslongthinlegs。
　　'Thereareyou，Charley，workingyourway，insecretfromfather，attheschool；andyougetprizes；andyougoonbetterandbetter；andyoucometobea——whatwasityoucalleditwhenyoutoldmeaboutthat?'
　　'Ha，ha！Fortune-tellingnotknowthename！'criedtheboy，seemingtoberatherrelievedbythisdefaultonthepartofthehollowdownbytheflare。'Pupil-teacher。'
　　'Youcometobeapupil-teacher，andyoustillgoonbetterandbetter，andyourisetobeamasterfulloflearningandrespect。Butthesecrethascometofather'sknowledgelongbefore，andithasdividedyoufromfather，andfromme。'
　　'Noithasn't！'
　　'Yesithas，Charley。Isee，asplainasplaincanbe，thatyourwayisnotours，andthateveniffathercouldbegottoforgiveyourtakingitwhichhenevercouldbe，thatwayofyourswouldbedarkenedbyourway。ButIseetoo，Charley——'
　　'Stillasplainasplaincanbe，Liz?'askedtheboyplayfully。
　　'Ah！Still。Thatitisagreatworktohavecutyouawayfromfather'slife，andtohavemadeanewandgoodbeginning。SothereamI，Charley，leftalonewithfather，keepinghimasstraightasI
　　can，watchingformoreinfluencethanIhave，andhopingthatthroughsomefortunatechance，orwhenheisill，orwhen——Idon'tknowwhat——Imayturnhimtowishtodobetterthings。'
　　'Yousaidyoucouldn'treadabook，Lizzie。Yourlibraryofbooksisthehollowdownbytheflare，Ithink。'
　　'Ishouldbeverygladtobeabletoreadrealbooks。Ifeelmywantoflearningverymuch，Charley。ButIshouldfeelitmuchmore，ifIdidn'tknowittobeatiebetweenmeandfather——Hark！Father'stread！'
　　Itbeingnowpastmidnight，thebirdofpreywentstraighttoroost。
　　Atmid-dayfollowinghereappearedattheSixJollyFellowshipPorters，inthecharacter，notnewtohim，ofawitnessbeforeaCoroner'sJury。
　　MrMortimerLightwood，besidessustainingthecharacterofoneofthewitnesses，doubledthepartwiththatoftheeminentsolicitorwhowatchedtheproceedingsonbehalfoftherepresentativesofthedeceased，aswasdulyrecordedinthenewspapers。MrInspectorwatchedtheproceedingstoo，andkepthiswatchingcloselytohimself。MrJuliusHandfordhavinggivenhisrightaddress，andbeingreportedinsolventcircumstancesastohisbill，thoughnothingmorewasknownofhimathishotelexceptthathiswayoflifewasveryretired，hadnosummonstoappear，andwasmerelypresentintheshadesofMrInspector'smind。
　　Thecasewasmadeinterestingtothepublic，byMrMortimerLighiwood'sevidencetouchingthecircumstancesunderwhichthedeceased，MrJohnHarmon，hadreturnedtoEngland；exclusiveprivateproprietorshipinwhichcircumstanceswassetupatdinner-
　　tablesforseveraldays，byVeneering，Twemlow，Podsnap，andalltheBuffers:whoallrelatedthemirreconcilablywithoneanother，andcontradictedthemselves。ItwasalsomadeinterestingbythetestimonyofJobPotterson，theship'ssteward，andoneMrJacobKibble，afellow-passenger，thatthedeceasedMrJohnHarmondidbringover，inahand-valisewithwhichhediddisembark，thesumrealizedbytheforcedsaleofhislittlelandedproperty，andthatthesumexceeded，inreadymoney，sevenhundredpounds。Itwasfurthermadeinteresting，bytheremarkableexperiencesofJesseHexaminhavingrescuedfromtheThamessomanydeadbodies，andforwhosebehoofarapturousadmirersubscribinghimself'A
　　friendtoBurial'perhapsanundertaker，senteighteenpostagestamps，andfive'NowSir'stotheeditoroftheTimes。
　　Upontheevidenceadducedbeforethem，theJuryfound，ThatthebodyofMrJohnHarmonhadbeendiscoveredfloatingintheThames，inanadvancedstateofdecay，andmuchinjured；andthatthesaidMrJohnHarmonhadcomebyhisdeathunderhighlysuspiciouscircumstances，thoughbywhoseactorinwhatprecisemannertherewasnoevidencebeforethisJurytoshow。Andtheyappendedtotheirverdict，arecommendationtotheHomeOfficewhichMrInspectorappearedtothinkhighlysensible，toofferarewardforthesolutionofthemystery。Withineight-and-fortyhours，arewardofOneHundredPoundswasproclaimed，togetherwithafreepardontoanypersonorpersonsnottheactualperpetratororperpetrators，andsoforthindueform。
　　ThisProclamationrenderedMrInspectoradditionallystudious，andcausedhimtostandmeditatingonriver-stairsandcauseways，andtogolurkingaboutinboats，puttingthisandthattogether。
　　But，accordingtothesuccesswithwhichyouputthisandthattogether，yougetawomanandafishapart，oraMermaidincombination。AndMrInspectorcouldturnoutnothingbetterthanaMermaid，whichnoJudgeandJurywouldbelievein。
　　Thus，likethetidesonwhichithadbeenbornetotheknowledgeofmen，theHarmonMurder——asitcametobepopularlycalled——wentupanddown，andebbedandflowed，nowinthetown，nowinthecountry，nowamongpalaces，nowamonghovels，nowamonglordsandladiesandgentlefolks，nowamonglabourersandhammerersandballast-heavers，untilatlast，afteralongintervalofslackwateritgotouttoseaanddriftedaway。
　　Chapter4
　　THER。WILFERFAMILY
　　ReginaldWilferisanamewithratheragrandsound，suggestingonfirstacquaintancebrassesincountrychurches，scrollsinstained-glasswindows，andgenerallytheDeWilferswhocameoverwiththeConqueror。For，itisaremarkablefactingenealogythatnoDeAnyonesevercameoverwithAnybodyelse。
　　But，theReginaldWilferfamilywereofsuchcommonplaceextractionandpursuitsthattheirforefathershadforgenerationsmodestlysubsistedontheDocks，theExciseOffice，andtheCustomHouse，andtheexistingR。Wilferwasapoorclerk。Sopooraclerk，thoughhavingalimitedsalaryandanunlimitedfamily，thathehadneveryetattainedthemodestobjectofhisambition:whichwas，towearacompletenewsuitofclothes，hatandbootsincluded，atonetime。Hisblackhatwasbrownbeforehecouldaffordacoat，hispantaloonswerewhiteattheseamsandkneesbeforehecouldbuyapairofboots，hisbootshadwornoutbeforehecouldtreathimselftonewpantaloons，and，bythetimeheworkedroundtothehatagain，thatshiningmodernarticleroofed-inanancientruinofvariousperiods。
　　IftheconventionalCherubcouldevergrowupandbeclothed，hemightbephotographedasaportraitofWilfer。Hischubby，smooth，innocentappearancewasareasonforhisbeingalwaystreatedwithcondescensionwhenhewasnotputdown。Astrangerenteringhisownpoorhouseataboutteno'clockP。M。mighthavebeensurprisedtofindhimsittinguptosupper。Soboyishwasheinhiscurvesandproportions，thathisoldschoolmastermeetinghiminCheapside，mighthavebeenunabletowithstandthetemptationofcaninghimonthespot。Inshort，hewastheconventionalcherub，afterthesupposititiousshootjustmentioned，rathergrey，withsignsofcareonhisexpression，andindecidedlyinsolventcircumstances。
　　Hewasshy，andunwillingtoowntothenameofReginald，asbeingtooaspiringandself-assertiveaname。InhissignatureheusedonlytheinitialR。，andimpartedwhatitreallystoodfor，tononebutchosenfriends，underthesealofconfidence。Outofthis，thefacetioushabithadarisenintheneighbourhoodsurroundingMincingLaneofmakingchristiannamesforhimofadjectivesandparticiplesbeginningwithR。Someoftheseweremoreorlessappropriate:asRusty，Retiring，Ruddy，Round，Ripe，Ridiculous，Ruminative；others，derivedtheirpointfromtheirwantofapplication:asRaging，Rattling，Roaring，Raffish。But，hispopularnamewasRumty，whichinamomentofinspirationhadbeenbestoweduponhimbyagentlemanofconvivialhabitsconnectedwiththedrug-markets，asthebeginningofasocialchorus，hisleadingpartintheexecutionofwhichhadledthisgentlemantotheTempleofFame，andofwhichthewholeexpressiveburdenran:
　　'Rumtyiddity，rowdowdow，Singtoodlely，teedlely，bowwowwow。'
　　Thushewasconstantlyaddressed，eveninminornotesonbusiness，as'DearRumty'；inanswertowhich，hesedatelysignedhimself，'Yourstruly，R。Wilfer。'
　　Hewasclerkinthedrug-houseofChicksey，Veneering，andStobbles。ChickseyandStobbles，hisformermasters，hadbothbecomeabsorbedinVeneering，oncetheirtravellerorcommissionagent:whohadsignalizedhisaccessiontosupremepowerbybringingintothebusinessaquantityofplate-glasswindowandFrench-polishedmahoganypartition，andagleamingandenormousdoorplate。
　　R。Wilferlockeduphisdeskoneevening，and，puttinghisbunchofkeysinhispocketmuchasifitwerehispeg-top，madeforhome。HishomewasintheHollowayregionnorthofLondon，andthendividedfromitbyfieldsandtrees。BetweenBattleBridgeandthatpartoftheHollowaydistrictinwhichhedwelt，wasatractofsuburbanSahara，wheretilesandbrickswereburnt，boneswereboiled，carpetswerebeat，rubbishwasshot，dogswerefought，anddustwasheapedbycontractors。Skirtingtheborderofthisdesert，bythewayhetook，whenthelightofitskiln-firesmadeluridsmearsonthefog，R。Wilfersighedandshookhishead。
　　'Ahme！'saidhe，'whatmighthavebeenisnotwhatis！'
　　Withwhichcommentaryonhumanlife，indicatinganexperienceofitnotexclusivelyhisown，hemadethebestofhiswaytotheendofhisjourney。
　　MrsWilferwas，ofcourse，atallwomanandanangular。Herlordbeingcherubic，shewasnecessarilymajestic，accordingtotheprinciplewhichmatrimoniallyunitescontrasts。Shewasmuchgiventotyingupherheadinapocket-handkerchief，knottedunderthechin。Thishead-gear，inconjunctionwithapairofgloveswornwithindoors，sheseemedtoconsiderasatonceakindofarmouragainstmisfortuneinvariablyassumingitwheninlowspiritsordifficulties，andasaspeciesoffulldress。Itwasthereforewithsomesinkingofthespiritthatherhusbandbeheldherthusheroicallyattired，puttingdownhercandleinthelittlehall，andcomingdownthedoorstepsthroughthelittlefrontcourttoopenthegateforhim。
　　Somethinghadgonewrongwiththehouse-door，forR。Wilferstoppedonthesteps，staringatit，andcried:
　　'Hal-loa?'
　　'Yes，'saidMrsWilfer，'themancamehimselfwithapairofpincers，andtookitoff，andtookitaway。Hesaidthatashehadnoexpectationofeverbeingpaidforit，andashehadanorderforanotherLADIES'SCHOOLdoor-plate，itwasbetterburnishedupfortheinterestsofallparties。'
　　'Perhapsitwas，mydear；whatdoyouthink?'
　　'Youaremasterhere，R。W。，'returnedhiswife。'Itisasyouthink；
　　notasIdo。Perhapsitmighthavebeenbetterifthemanhadtakenthedoortoo?'
　　'Mydear，wecouldn'thavedonewithoutthedoor。'
　　'Couldn'twe?'
　　'Why，mydear！Couldwe?'
　　'Itisasyouthink，R。W。；notasIdo。'Withthosesubmissivewords，thedutifulwifeprecededhimdownafewstairstoalittlebasementfrontroom，halfkitchen，halfparlour，whereagirlofaboutnineteen，withanexceedinglyprettyfigureandface，butwithanimpatientandpetulantexpressionbothinherfaceandinhershoulderswhichinhersexandatherageareveryexpressiveofdiscontent，satplayingdraughtswithayoungergirl，whowastheyoungestoftheHouseofWilfer。NottoencumberthispagebytellingofftheWilfersindetailandcastingthemupinthegross，itisenoughforthepresentthattherestwerewhatiscalled'outintheworld，'invariousways，andthattheywereMany。Somany，thatwhenoneofhisdutifulchildrencalledintoseehim，R。Wilfergenerallyseemedtosaytohimself，afteralittlementalarithmetic，'Oh！here'sanotherof'em！'beforeaddingaloud，'Howdedo，John，'
　　orSusan，asthecasemightbe。
　　'WellPiggywiggies，'saidR。W。，'howdedoto-night?WhatIwasthinkingof，mydear，'toMrsWilferalreadyseatedinacornerwithfoldedgloves，'was，thataswehaveletourfirstfloorsowell，andaswehavenownoplaceinwhichyoucouldteachpupilsevenifpupils——'
　　'Themilkmansaidheknewoftwoyoungladiesofthehighestrespectabilitywhowereinsearchofasuitableestablishment，andhetookacard，'interposedMrsWilfer，withseveremonotony，asifshewerereadinganActofParliamentaloud。'TellyourfatherwhetheritwaslastMonday，Bella。'
　　'Butweneverheardanymoreofit，ma，'saidBella，theeldergirl。
　　'Inadditiontowhich，mydear，'herhusbandurged，'ifyouhavenoplacetoputtwoyoungpersonsinto——'
　　'Pardonme，'MrsWilferagaininterposed；'theywerenotyoungpersons。Twoyoungladiesofthehighestrespectability。Tellyourfather，Bella，whetherthemilkmansaidso。'
　　'Mydear，itisthesamething。'
　　'Noitisnot，'saidMrsWilfer，withthesameimpressivemonotony。
　　'Pardonme！'
　　'Imean，mydear，itisthesamethingastospace。Astospace。Ifyouhavenospaceinwhichtoputtwoyouthfulfellow-creatures，howevereminentlyrespectable，whichIdonotdoubt，wherearethoseyouthfulfellow-creaturestobeaccommodated?Icarryitnofurtherthanthat。Andsolelylookingatit，'saidherhusband，makingthestipulationatonceinaconciliatory，complimentary，andargumentativetone——'asIamsureyouwillagree，mylove——
　　fromafellow-creaturepointofview，mydear。'
　　'Ihavenothingmoretosay，'returnedMrsWilfer，withameekrenunciatoryactionofhergloves。'Itisasyouthink，R。W。；
　　notasIdo。'
　　Here，thehuffingofMissBellaandthelossofthreeofhermenataswoop，aggravatedbythecoronationofanopponent，ledtothatyounglady'sjerkingthedraught-boardandpiecesoffthetable:
　　whichhersisterwentdownonherkneestopickup。
　　'PoorBella！'saidMrsWilfer。
　　'AndpoorLavinia，perhaps，mydear?'suggestedR。W。
　　'Pardonme，'saidMrsWilfer，'no！'
　　Itwasoneoftheworthywoman'sspecialitiesthatshehadanamazingpowerofgratifyingherspleneticorwordly-mindedhumoursbyextollingherownfamily:whichshethusproceeded，inthepresentcase，todo。
　　'No，R。W。LaviniahasnotknownthetrialthatBellahasknown。
　　ThetrialthatyourdaughterBellahasundergone，is，perhaps，withoutaparallel，andhasbeenborne，Iwillsay，Nobly。WhenyouseeyourdaughterBellainherblackdress，whichshealoneofallthefamilywears，andwhenyourememberthecircumstanceswhichhaveledtoherwearingit，andwhenyouknowhowthosecircumstanceshavebeensustained，then，R。W。，layyourheaduponyourpillowandsay，“PoorLavinia！“'
　　Here，MissLavinia，fromherkneelingsituationunderthetable，putinthatshedidn'twanttobe'pooredbypa'，oranybodyelse。
　　'Iamsureyoudonot，mydear，'returnedhermother，'foryouhaveafinebravespirit。AndyoursisterCeciliahasafinebravespiritofanotherkind，aspiritofpuredevotion，abeau-ti-fulspirit！Theself-sacrificeofCeciliarevealsapureandwomanlycharacter，veryseldomequalled，neversurpassed。IhavenowinmypocketaletterfromyoursisterCecilia，receivedthismorning——receivedthreemonthsafterhermarriage，poorchild！——inwhichshetellsmethatherhusbandmustunexpectedlyshelterundertheirroofhisreducedaunt。“ButIwillbetruetohim，mamma，“shetouchinglywrites，“Iwillnotleavehim，Imustnotforgetthatheismyhusband。Lethisauntcome！“Ifthisisnotpathetic，ifthisisnotwoman'sdevotion——！'Thegoodladywavedherglovesinasenseoftheimpossibilityofsayingmore，andtiedthepocket-
　　handkerchiefoverherheadinatighterknotunderherchin。
　　Bella，whowasnowseatedontherugtowarmherself，withherbrowneyesonthefireandahandfulofherbrowncurlsinhermouth，laughedatthis，andthenpoutedandhalfcried。
　　'Iamsure，'saidshe，'thoughyouhavenofeelingforme，pa，Iamoneofthemostunfortunategirlsthateverlived。Youknowhowpoorweare'itisprobablehedid，havingsomereasontoknowit！，'andwhataglimpseofwealthIhad，andhowitmeltedaway，andhowIamhereinthisridiculousmourning——whichIhate！——akindofawidowwhoneverwasmarried。Andyetyoudon'tfeelforme——Yesyoudo，yesyoudo。'
　　Thisabruptchangewasoccasionedbyherfather'sface。Shestoppedtopullhimdownfromhischairinanattitudehighlyfavourabletostrangulation，andtogivehimakissandapatortwoonthecheek。
　　'Butyououghttofeelforme，youknow，pa。'
　　'Mydear，Ido。'
　　'Yes，andIsayyououghtto。Iftheyhadonlyleftmealoneandtoldmenothingaboutit，itwouldhavematteredmuchless。ButthatnastyMrLightwoodfeelsithisduty，ashesays，towriteandtellmewhatisinreserveforme，andthenIamobligedtogetridofGeorgeSampson。'
　　Here，Lavinia，risingtothesurfacewiththelastdraughtmanrescued，interposed，'YounevercaredforGeorgeSampson，Bella。'
　　'AnddidIsayIdid，miss?'Then，poutingagain，withthecurlsinhermouth；'GeorgeSampsonwasveryfondofme，andadmiredmeverymuch，andputupwitheverythingIdidtohim。'
　　'Youwererudeenoughtohim，'Laviniaagaininterposed。
　　'AnddidIsayIwasn't，miss?IamnotsettinguptobesentimentalaboutGeorgeSampson。IonlysayGeorgeSampsonwasbetterthannothing。'
　　'Youdidn'tshowhimthatyouthoughteventhat，'Laviniaagaininterposed。
　　'Youareachitandalittleidiot，'returnedBella，'oryouwouldn'tmakesuchadollyspeech。Whatdidyouexpectmetodo?Waittillyouareawoman，anddon'ttalkaboutwhatyoudon'tunderstand。Youonlyshowyourignorance！'Then，whimperingagain，andatintervalsbitingthecurls，andstoppingtolookhowmuchwasbittenoff，'It'sashame！Thereneverwassuchahardcase！Ishouldn'tcaresomuchifitwasn'tsoridiculous。Itwasridiculousenoughtohaveastrangercomingovertomarryme，whetherhelikeditornot。Itwasridiculousenoughtoknowwhatanembarrassingmeetingitwouldbe，andhowwenevercouldpretendtohaveaninclinationofourown，eitherofus。ItwasridiculousenoughtoknowIshouldn'tlikehim——howCOULDI
　　likehim，lefttohiminawill，likeadozenofspoons，witheverythingcutanddriedbeforehand，likeorangechips。Talkoforangeflowersindeed！Ideclareagainit'sashame！Thoseridiculouspointswouldhavebeensmoothedawaybythemoney，forIlovemoney，andwantmoney——wantitdreadfully。Ihatetobepoor，andwearedegradinglypoor，offensivelypoor，miserablypoor，beastlypoor。ButhereIam，leftwithalltheridiculouspartsofthesituationremaining，and，addedtothemall，thisridiculousdress！Andifthetruthwasknown，whentheHarmonmurderwasalloverthetown，andpeoplewerespeculatingonitsbeingsuicide，Idaresaythoseimpudentwretchesattheclubsandplacesmadejokesaboutthemiserablecreature'shavingpreferredawaterygravetome。It'slikelyenoughtheytooksuchliberties；Ishouldn'twonder！Ideclareit'saveryhardcaseindeed，andIamamostunfortunategirl。Theideaofbeingakindofawidow，andneverhavingbeenmarried！Andtheideaofbeingaspooraseverafterall，andgoingintoblack，besides，foramanIneversaw，andshouldhavehated——asfarasHEwasconcerned——ifIhadseen！'
　　Theyounglady'slamentationswerecheckedatthispointbyaknuckle，knockingatthehalf-opendooroftheroom。Theknucklehadknockedtwoorthreetimesalready，buthadnotbeenheard。
　　'Whoisit?'saidMrsWilfer，inherAct-of-Parliamentmanner。
　　'Enter！'
　　Agentlemancomingin，MissBella，withashortandsharpexclamation，scrambledoffthehearth-rugandmassedthebittencurlstogetherintheirrightplaceonherneck。
　　'TheservantgirlhadherkeyinthedoorasIcameup，anddirectedmetothisroom，tellingmeIwasexpected。IamafraidIshouldhaveaskedhertoannounceme。'
　　'Pardonme，'returnedMrsWilfer。'Notatall。Twoofmydaughters。R。W。，thisisthegentlemanwhohastakenyourfirst-
　　floor。Hewassogoodastomakeanappointmentforto-night，whenyouwouldbeathome。'
　　Adarkgentleman。Thirtyattheutmost。Anexpressive，onemightsayhandsome，face。Averybadmanner。Inthelastdegreeconstrained，reserved，diffident，troubled。HiseyeswereonMissBellaforaninstant，andthenlookedatthegroundasheaddressedthemasterofthehouse。
　　'SeeingthatIamquitesatisfied，MrWilfer，withtherooms，andwiththeirsituation，andwiththeirprice，Isupposeamemorandumbetweenusoftwoorthreelines，andapaymentdown，willbindthebargain?Iwishtosendinfurniturewithoutdelay。'
　　Twoorthreetimesduringthisshortaddress，thecherubaddressedhadmadechubbymotionstowardsachair。Thegentlemannowtookit，layingahesitatinghandonacornerofthetable，andwithanotherhesitatinghandliftingthecrownofhishattohislips，anddrawingitbeforehismouth。
　　'Thegentleman，R。W。，'saidMrsWilfer，'proposestotakeyourapartmentsbythequarter。Aquarter'snoticeoneitherside。'
　　'ShallImention，sir，'insinuatedthelandlord，expectingittobereceivedasamatterofcourse，'theformofareference?'
　　'Ithink，'returnedthegentleman，afterapause，'thatareferenceisnotnecessary；neither，tosaythetruth，isitconvenient，forIamastrangerinLondon。Irequirenoreferencefromyou，andperhaps，therefore，youwillrequirenonefromme。Thatwillbefaironbothsides。Indeed，Ishowthegreaterconfidenceofthetwo，forIwillpayinadvancewhateveryouplease，andIamgoingtotrustmyfurniturehere。Whereas，ifyouwereinembarrassedcircumstances——thisismerelysupposititious——'
　　ConsciencecausingR。Wilfertocolour，MrsWilfer，fromacornershealwaysgotintostatelycornerscametotherescuewithadeep-toned'Per-fectly。'
　　'——WhythenI——mightloseit。'
　　'Well！'observedR。Wilfer，cheerfully，'moneyandgoodsarecertainlythebestofreferences。'
　　'DoyouthinktheyAREthebest，pa?'askedMissBella，inalowvoice，andwithoutlookingoverhershoulderasshewarmedherfootonthefender。
　　'Amongthebest，mydear。'
　　'Ishouldhavethought，myself，itwassoeasytoaddtheusualkindofone，'saidBella，withatossofhercurls。
　　Thegentlemanlistenedtoher，withafaceofmarkedattention，thoughheneitherlookedupnorchangedhisattitude。Hesat，stillandsilent，untilhisfuturelandlordacceptedhisproposals，andbroughtwritingmaterialstocompletethebusiness。Hesat，stillandsilent，whilethelandlordwrote。
　　Whentheagreementwasreadyinduplicatethelandlordhavingworkedatitlikesomecherubicscribe，inwhatisconventionallycalledadoubtful，whichmeansanotatalldoubtful，OldMaster，itwassignedbythecontractingparties，Bellalookingonasscornfulwitness。ThecontractingpartieswereR。Wilfer，andJohnRokesmithEsquire。
　　WhenitcametoBella'sturntosignhername，MrRokesmith，whowasstanding，ashehadsat，withahesitatinghanduponthetable，lookedatherstealthily，butnarrowly。Helookedattheprettyfigurebendingdownoverthepaperandsaying，'WhereamItogo，pa?Here，inthiscorner?'Helookedatthebeautifulbrownhair，shadingthecoquettishface；helookedatthefreedashofthesignature，whichwasaboldoneforawoman's；andthentheylookedatoneanother。
　　'Muchobligedtoyou，MissWilfer。'
　　'Obliged?'
　　'Ihavegivenyousomuchtrouble。'
　　'Signingmyname?Yes，certainly。ButIamyourlandlord'sdaughter，sir。'
　　Astherewasnothingmoretodobutpayeightsovereignsinearnestofthebargain，pockettheagreement，appointatimeforthearrivalofhisfurnitureandhimself，andgo，MrRokesmithdidthatasawkwardlyasitmightbedone，andwasescortedbyhislandlordtotheouterair。WhenR。Wilferreturned，candlestickinhand，tothebosomofhisfamily，hefoundthebosomagitated。
　　'Pa，'saidBella，'wehavegotaMurdererforatenant。'
　　'Pa，'saidLavinia，'wehavegotaRobber。'
　　'Toseehimunableforhislifetolookanybodyintheface！'saidBella。'Thereneverwassuchanexhibition。'
　　'Mydears，'saidtheirfather，'heisadiffidentgentleman，andI
　　shouldsayparticularlysointhesocietyofgirlsofyourage。'
　　'Nonsense，ourage！'criedBella，impatiently。'What'sthatgottodowithhim?'
　　'Besides，wearenotofthesameage:——whichage?'demandedLavinia。
　　'NeverYOUmind，Lavvy，'retortedBella；'youwaittillyouareofanagetoasksuchquestions。Pa，markmywords！BetweenMrRokesmithandme，thereisanaturalantipathyandadeepdistrust；
　　andsomethingwillcomeofit！'
　　'Mydear，andgirls，'saidthecherub-patriarch，'betweenMrRokesmithandme，thereisamatterofeightsovereigns，andsomethingforsuppershallcomeofit，ifyou'llagreeuponthearticle。'
　　Thiswasaneatandhappyturntogivethesubject，treatsbeingrareintheWilferhousehold，whereamonotonousappearanceofDutch-cheeseatteno'clockintheeveninghadbeenratherfrequentlycommentedonbythedimpledshouldersofMissBella。
　　Indeed，themodestDutchmanhimselfseemedconsciousofhiswantofvariety，andgenerallycamebeforethefamilyinastateofapologeticperspiration。Aftersomediscussionontherelativemeritsofveal-cutlet，sweetbread，andlobster，adecisionwaspronouncedinfavourofveal-cutlet。MrsWilferthensolemnlydivestedherselfofherhandkerchiefandgloves，asapreliminarysacrificetopreparingthefrying-pan，andR。W。himselfwentouttopurchasetheviand。Hesoonreturned，bearingthesameinafreshcabbage-leaf，whereitcoylyembracedarasherofham。Melodioussoundswerenotlonginrisingfromthefrying-panonthefire，orinseeming，asthefirelightdancedinthemellowhallsofacoupleoffullbottlesonthetable，toplayappropriatedance-music。
　　TheclothwaslaidbyLavvy。Bella，astheacknowledgedornamentofthefamily，employedbothherhandsingivingherhairanadditionalwavewhilesittingintheeasiestchair，andoccasionallythrewinadirectiontouchingthesupper:as，'Verybrown，ma；'or，tohersister，'Putthesaltcellarstraight，miss，anddon'tbeadowdylittlepuss。'
　　Meantimeherfather，chinkingMrRokesmith'sgoldashesatexpectantbetweenhisknifeandfork，remarkedthatsixofthosesovereignscamejustintimefortheirlandlord，andstoodtheminalittlepileonthewhitetableclothtolookat。
　　'Ihateourlandlord！'saidBella。
　　But，observingafallinherfather'sface，shewentandsatdownbyhimatthetable，andbegantouchinguphishairwiththehandleofafork。Itwasoneofthegirl'sspoiltwaystobealwaysarrangingthefamily'shair——perhapsbecauseherownwassopretty，andoccupiedsomuchofherattention。
　　'Youdeservetohaveahouseofyourown；don'tyou，poorpa?'
　　'Idon'tdeserveitbetterthananother，mydear。'
　　'AtanyrateI，forone，wantitmorethananother，'saidBella，holdinghimbythechin，asshestuckhisflaxenhaironend，'andI
　　grudgethismoneygoingtotheMonsterthatswallowsupsomuch，whenweallwant——Everything。Andifyousayasyouwanttosay；
　　Iknowyouwanttosayso，pa“that'sneitherreasonablenorhonest，Bella，“thenIanswer，“Maybenot，pa——verylikely——butit'soneoftheconsequencesofbeingpoor，andofthoroughlyhatinganddetestingtobepoor，andthat'smycase。”Now，youlooklovely，pa；whydon'tyoualwayswearyourhairlikethat?Andhere'sthecutlet！Ifitisn'tverybrown，ma，Ican'teatit，andmusthaveabitputbacktobedoneexpressly。'
　　However，asitwasbrown，eventoBella'staste，theyoungladygraciouslypartookofitwithoutreconsignmenttothefrying-pan，andalso，induecourse，ofthecontentsofthetwobottles:whereofoneheldScotchaleandtheotherrum。Thelatterperfume，withthefosteringaidofboilingwaterandlemon-peel，diffuseditselfthroughouttheroom，andbecamesohighlyconcentratedaroundthewarmfireside，thatthewindpassingoverthehouseroofmusthaverushedoffchargedwithadeliciouswhiffofit，afterbuzzinglikeagreatbeeatthatparticularchimneypot。
　　'Pa，'saidBella，sippingthefragrantmixtureandwarmingherfavouriteankle；'whenoldMrHarmonmadesuchafoolofmenottomentionhimself，asheisdead，whatdoyousupposehediditfor?'
　　'Impossibletosay，mydear。AsIhavetoldyoutimeoutofnumbersincehiswillwasbroughttolight，IdoubtifIeverexchangedahundredwordswiththeoldgentleman。Ifitwashiswhimtosurpriseus，hiswhimsucceeded。Forhecertainlydidit。'
　　'AndIwasstampingmyfootandscreaming，whenhefirsttooknoticeofme；wasI?'saidBella，contemplatingtheanklebeforementioned。
　　'Youwerestampingyourlittlefoot，mydear，andscreamingwithyourlittlevoice，andlayingintomewithyourlittlebonnet，whichyouhadsnatchedoffforthepurpose，'returnedherfather，asiftheremembrancegavearelishtotherum；'youweredoingthisoneSundaymorningwhenItookyouout，becauseIdidn'tgotheexactwayyouwanted，whentheoldgentleman，sittingonaseatnear，said，“That'sanicegirl；that'saVERYnicegirl；apromisinggirl！“
　　Andsoyouwere，mydear。'
　　'Andthenheaskedmyname，didhe，pa?'
　　'Thenheaskedyourname，mydear，andmine；andonotherSundaymornings，whenwewalkedhisway，wesawhimagain，and——andreallythat'sall。'
　　Asthatwasalltherumandwatertoo，or，inotherwords，asR。W。
　　delicatelysignifiedthathisglasswasempty，bythrowingbackhisheadandstandingtheglassupsidedownonhisnoseandupperlip，itmighthavebeencharitableinMrsWilfertosuggestreplenishment。Butthatheroinebrieflysuggesting'Bedtime'
　　instead，thebottleswereputaway，andthefamilyretired；shecherubicallyescorted，likesomeseveresaintinapainting，ormerelyhumanmatronallegoricallytreated。
　　'Andbythistimeto-morrow，'saidLaviniawhenthetwogirlswerealoneintheirroom，'weshallhaveMrRokesmithhere，andshallbeexpectingtohaveourthroatscut。'
　　'Youneedn'tstandbetweenmeandthecandleforallthat，'retortedBella。'Thisisanotheroftheconsequencesofbeingpoor！Theideaofagirlwithareallyfineheadofhair，havingtodoitbyoneflatcandleandafewinchesoflooking-glass！'
　　'YoucaughtGeorgeSampsonwithit，Bella，badasyourmeansofdressingitare。'
　　'Youlowlittlething。CaughtGeorgeSampsonwithit！Don'ttalkaboutcatchingpeople，miss，tillyourowntimeforcatching——asyoucallit——comes。'
　　'Perhapsithascome，'mutteredLavvy，withatossofherhead。
　　'Whatdidyousay?'askedBella，verysharply。'Whatdidyousay，miss?'
　　Lavvydecliningequallytorepeatortoexplain，Bellagraduallylapsedoverherhair-dressingintoasoliloquyonthemiseriesofbeingpoor，asexemplifiedinhavingnothingtoputon，nothingtogooutin，nothingtodressby，onlyanastyboxtodressatinsteadofacommodiousdressing-table，andbeingobligedtotakeinsuspiciouslodgers。Onthelastgrievanceasherclimax，shelaidgreatstress——andmighthavelaidgreater，hadsheknownthatifMrJuliusHandfordhadatwinbrotheruponearth，MrJohnRokesmithwastheman。
　　Chapter5
　　BOFFIN'SBOWER
　　OveragainstaLondonhouse，acornerhousenotfarfromCavendishSquare，amanwithawoodenleghadsatforsomeyears，withhisremainingfootinabasketincoldweather，pickingupalivingonthiswise:——Everymorningateighto'clock，hestumpedtothecorner，carryingachair，aclothes-horse，apairoftrestles，aboard，abasket，andanumbrella，allstrappedtogether。
　　Separatingthese，theboardandtrestlesbecameacounter，thebasketsuppliedthefewsmalllotsoffruitandsweetsthatheofferedforsaleuponitandbecameafoot-warmer，theunfoldedclothes-horsedisplayedachoicecollectionofhalfpennyballadsandbecameascreen，andthestoolplantedwithinitbecamehispostfortherestoftheday。Allweatherssawthemanatthepost。
　　Thisistobeacceptedinadoublesense，forhecontrivedabacktohiswoodenstool，byplacingitagainstthelamp-post。Whentheweatherwaswet，heputuphisumbrellaoverhisstockintrade，notoverhimself；whentheweatherwasdry，hefurledthatfadedarticle，tieditroundwithapieceofyarn，andlaiditcross-wiseunderthetrestles:whereitlookedlikeanunwholesomely-forcedlettucethathadlostincolourandcrispnesswhatithadgainedinsize。
　　Hehadestablishedhisrighttothecorner，byimperceptibleprescription。Hehadnevervariedhisgroundaninch，buthadinthebeginningdiffidentlytakenthecorneruponwhichthesideofthehousegave。Ahowlingcornerinthewintertime，adustycornerinthesummertime，anundesirablecorneratthebestoftimes。Shelterlessfragmentsofstrawandpapergotuprevolvingstormsthere，whenthemainstreetwasatpeace；andthewater-
　　cart，asifitweredrunkorshort-sighted，cameblunderingandjoltingroundit，makingitmuddywhenallelsewasclean。
　　Onthefrontofhissale-boardhungalittleplacard，likeakettle-
　　holder，bearingtheinscriptioninhisownsmalltext:
　　ErrandsgoneOnwithfiDelityByLadiesandGentlemenIremainYourhumbleServt:
　　SilasWeggHehadnotonlysettleditwithhimselfincourseoftime，thathewaserrand-goerbyappointmenttothehouseatthecornerthoughhereceivedsuchcommissionsnothalfadozentimesinayear，andthenonlyassomeservant'sdeputy，butalsothathewasoneofthehouse'sretainersandowedvassalagetoitandwasboundtolealandloyalinterestinit。Forthisreason，healwaysspokeofitas'OurHouse，'and，thoughhisknowledgeofitsaffairswasmostlyspeculativeandallwrong，claimedtobeinitsconfidence。Onsimilargroundsheneverbeheldaninmateatanyoneofitswindowsbuthetouchedhishat。Yet，heknewsolittleabouttheinmatesthathegavethemnamesofhisowninvention:as'MissElizabeth'，'MasterGeorge'，'AuntJane'，'UncleParker'——havingnoauthoritywhateverforanysuchdesignations，butparticularlythelast——towhich，asanaturalconsequence，hestuckwithgreatobstinacy。
　　Overthehouseitself，heexercisedthesameimaginarypowerasoveritsinhabitantsandtheiraffairs。Hehadneverbeeninit，thelengthofapieceoffatblackwater-pipewhichtraileditselfoverthearea-doorintoadampstonepassage，andhadrathertheairofaleechonthehousethathad'taken'wonderfully；butthiswasnoimpedimenttohisarrangingitaccordingtoaplanofhisown。Itwasagreatdingyhousewithaquantityofdimsidewindowandblankbackpremises，anditcosthismindaworldoftroublesotolayitoutastoaccountforeverythinginitsexternalappearance。
　　But，thisoncedone，wasquitesatisfactory，andherestedpersuaded，thatheknewhiswayaboutthehouseblindfold:fromthebarredgarretsinthehighroof，tothetwoironextinguishersbeforethemaindoor——whichseemedtorequestalllivelyvisitorstohavethekindnesstoputthemselvesout，beforeentering。
　　Assuredly，thisstallofSilasWegg'swasthehardestlittlestallofallthesterilelittlestallsinLondon。Itgaveyoutheface-achetolookathisapples，thestomach-achetolookathisoranges，thetooth-achetolookathisnuts。Ofthelattercommodityhehadalwaysagrimlittleheap，onwhichlayalittlewoodenmeasurewhichhadnodiscernibleinside，andwasconsideredtorepresentthepenn'orthappointedbyMagnaCharta。Whetherfromtoomucheastwindorno——itwasaneasterlycorner——thestall，thestock，andthekeeper，wereallasdryastheDesert。Weggwasaknottyman，andaclose-grained，withafacecarvedoutofveryhardmaterial，thathadjustasmuchplayofexpressionasawatchman'srattle。Whenhelaughed，certainjerksoccurredinit，andtherattlesprung。Soothtosay，hewassowoodenamanthatheseemedtohavetakenhiswoodenlegnaturally，andrathersuggestedtothefancifulobserver，thathemightbeexpected——ifhisdevelopmentreceivednountimelycheck——tobecompletelysetupwithapairofwoodenlegsinaboutsixmonths。
　　MrWeggwasanobservantperson，or，ashehimselfsaid，'tookapowerfulsightofnotice'。Hesalutedallhisregularpassers-byeveryday，ashesatonhisstoolbackedupbythelamp-post；andontheadaptablecharacterofthesesaluteshegreatlyplumedhimself。Thus，totherector，headdressedabow，compoundedoflaydeference，andaslighttouchoftheshadypreliminarymeditationatchurch；tothedoctor，aconfidentialbow，astoagentlemanwhoseacquaintancewithhisinsidehebeggedrespectfullytoacknowledge；beforetheQualityhedelightedtoabasehimself；andforUncleParker，whowasinthearmyatleast，sohehadsettledit，heputhisopenhandtothesideofhishat，inamilitarymannerwhichthatangry-eyedbuttoned-upinflammatory-facedoldgentlemanappearedbutimperfectlytoappreciate。
　　TheonlyarticleinwhichSilasdealt，thatwasnothard，wasgingerbread。Onacertainday，somewretchedinfanthavingpurchasedthedampgingerbread-horsefearfullyoutofcondition，andtheadhesivebird-cage，whichhadbeenexposedfortheday'ssale，hehadtakenatinboxfromunderhisstooltoproducearelayofthosedreadfulspecimens，andwasgoingtolookinatthelid，whenhesaidtohimself，pausing:'Oh！Hereyouareagain！'
　　Thewordsreferredtoabroad，round-shouldered，one-sidedoldfellowinmourning，comingcomicallyamblingtowardsthecorner，dressedinapeaover-coat，andcarryingalargestick。Heworethickshoes，andthickleathergaiters，andthickgloveslikeahedger's。Bothastohisdressandtohimself，hewasofanoverlappingrhinocerosbuild，withfoldsinhischeeks，andhisforehead，andhiseyelids，andhislips，andhisears；butwithbright，eager，childishly-inquiring，greyeyes，underhisraggedeyebrows，andbroad-brimmedhat。Averyodd-lookingoldfellowaltogether。
　　'Hereyouareagain，'repeatedMrWegg，musing。'Andwhatareyounow?AreyouintheFunns，orwhereareyou?Haveyoulatelycometosettleinthisneighbourhood，ordoyouowntoanotherneighbourhood?Areyouinindependentcircumstances，orisitwastingthemotionsofabowonyou?Come！I'llspeculate！
　　I'llinvestabowinyou。'
　　WhichMrWegg，havingreplacedhistinbox，accordinglydid，asherosetobaithisgingerbread-trapforsomeotherdevotedinfant。
　　Thesalutewasacknowledgedwith:
　　'Morning，sir！Morning！Morning！'
　　'CallsmeSir！'saidMrWegg，tohimself；'HEwon'tanswer。A
　　bowgone！'
　　'Morning，morning，morning！'
　　'Appearstoberathera'artyoldcock，too，'saidMrWegg，asbefore；'GoodmorningtoYOU，sir。'
　　'Doyourememberme，then?'askedhisnewacquaintance，stoppinginhisamble，one-sided，beforethestall，andspeakinginapoundingway，thoughwithgreatgood-humour。
　　'Ihavenoticedyougopastourhouse，sir，severaltimesinthecourseofthelastweekorso。'
　　'Ourhouse，'repeatedtheother。'Meaning——?'
　　'Yes，'saidMrWegg，nodding，astheotherpointedtheclumsyforefingerofhisrightgloveatthecornerhouse。
　　'Oh！Now，what，'pursuedtheoldfellow，inaninquisitivemanner，carryinghisknottedstickinhisleftarmasifitwereababy，'whatdotheyallowyounow?'
　　'It'sjobworkthatIdoforourhouse，'returnedSilas，drily，andwithreticence；'it'snotyetbroughttoanexactallowance。'
　　'Oh！It'snotyetbroughttoanexactallowance?No！It'snotyetbroughttoanexactallowance。Oh！——Morning，morning，morning！'
　　'Appearstoberatheracrackedoldcock，'thoughtSilas，qualifyinghisformergoodopinion，astheotherambledoff。But，inamomenthewasbackagainwiththequestion:
　　'Howdidyougetyourwoodenleg?'
　　MrWeggreplied，tartlytothispersonalinquiry，'Inanaccident。'
　　'Doyoulikeit?'
　　'Well！Ihaven'tgottokeepitwarm，'MrWeggmadeanswer，inasortofdesperationoccasionedbythesingularityofthequestion。
　　'Hehasn't，'repeatedtheothertohisknottedstick，ashegaveitahug；'hehasn'tgot——ha！——ha！——tokeepitwarm！DidyoueverhearofthenameofBoffin?'
　　'No，'saidMrWegg，whowasgrowingrestiveunderthisexamination。'IneverdidhearofthenameofBoffin。'
　　'Doyoulikeit?'
　　'Why，no，'retortedMrWegg，againapproachingdesperation；'I
　　can'tsayIdo。'
　　'Whydon'tyoulikeit?'
　　'Idon'tknowwhyIdon't，'retortedMrWegg，approachingfrenzy，'butIdon'tatall。'
　　'Now，I'lltellyousomethingthat'llmakeyousorryforthat，'saidthestranger，smiling。'Myname'sBoffin。'
　　'Ican'thelpit！'returnedMrWegg。Implyinginhismannertheoffensiveaddition，'andifIcould，Iwouldn't。'
　　'Butthere'sanotherchanceforyou，'saidMrBoffin，smilingstill，'DoyoulikethenameofNicodemus?Thinkitover。Nick，orNoddy。'
　　'Itisnot，sir，'MrWeggrejoined，ashesatdownonhisstool，withanairofgentleresignation，combinedwithmelancholycandour；itisnotanameasIcouldwishanyonethatIhadarespectfor，tocallMEby；buttheremaybepersonsthatwouldnotviewitwiththesameobjections——Idon'tknowwhy，'MrWeggadded，anticipatinganotherquestion。
　　'NoddyBoffin，'saidthatgentleman。'Noddy。That'smyname。
　　Noddy——orNick——Boffin。What'syourname?'
　　'SilasWegg——Idon't，'saidMrWegg，bestirringhimselftotakethesameprecautionasbefore，'Idon'tknowwhySilas，andIdon'tknowwhyWegg。'
　　'Now，Wegg，'saidMrBoffin，hugginghisstickcloser，'Iwanttomakeasortofoffertoyou。Doyourememberwhenyoufirstseeme?'
　　ThewoodenWegglookedathimwithameditativeeye，andalsowithasoftenedairasdescryingpossibilityofprofit。'Letmethink。
　　Iain'tquitesure，andyetIgenerallytakeapowerfulsightofnotice，too。WasitonaMondaymorning，whenthebutcher-boyhadbeentoourhousefororders，andboughtaballadofme，which，beingunacquaintedwiththetune，Irunitovertohim?'
　　'Right，Wegg，right！Butheboughtmorethanone。'
　　'Yes，tobesure，sir；heboughtseveral；andwishingtolayouthismoneytothebest，hetookmyopiniontoguidehischoice，andwewentoverthecollectiontogether。Tobesurewedid。Herewashimasitmightbe，andherewasmyselfasitmightbe，andtherewasyou，MrBoffin，asyouidenticallyare，withyourself-samestickunderyourverysamearm，andyourverysamebacktowardsus。To——be——sure！'addedMrWegg，lookingalittleroundMrBoffin，totakehimintherear，andidentifythislastextraordinarycoincidence，'yourweryself-sameback！'
　　'WhatdoyouthinkIwasdoing，Wegg?'
　　'Ishouldjudge，sir，thatyoumightbeglancingyoureyedownthestreet。'
　　'No，Wegg。Iwasalistening。'
　　'Wasyou，indeed?'saidMrWegg，dubiously。
　　'Notinadishonourableway，Wegg，becauseyouwassingingtothebutcher；andyouwouldn'tsingsecretstoabutcherinthestreet，youknow。'
　　'ItneverhappenedthatIdidsoyet，tothebestofmyremembrance，'saidMrWegg，cautiously。'ButImightdoit。A
　　mancan'tsaywhathemightwishtodosomedayoranother。'
　　This，nottoreleaseanylittleadvantagehemightderivefromMrBoffin'savowal。
　　'Well，'repeatedBoffin，'Iwasalisteningtoyouandtohim。Andwhatdoyou——youhaven'tgotanotherstool，haveyou?I'mratherthickinmybreath。'
　　'Ihaven'tgotanother，butyou'rewelcometothis，'saidWegg，resigningit。'It'satreattometostand。'
　　'Lard！'exclaimedMrBoffin，inatoneofgreatenjoyment，ashesettledhimselfdown，stillnursinghissticklikeababy，'it'sapleasantplace，this！Andthentobeshutinoneachside，withtheseballads，likesomanybook-leafblinkers！Why，itsdelightful！'
　　'IfIamnotmistaken，sir，'MrWeggdelicatelyhinted，restingahandonhisstall，andbendingoverthediscursiveBoffin，'youalludedtosomeofferoranotherthatwasinyourmind?'
　　'I'mcomingtoit！Allright。I'mcomingtoit！IwasgoingtosaythatwhenIlistenedthatmorning，Ilistenedwithhadmirationamountingtohaw。Ithoughttomyself，“Here'samanwithawoodenleg——aliterarymanwith——“'
　　'N——notexactlyso，sir，'saidMrWegg。
　　'Why，youknoweveryoneofthesesongsbynameandbytune，andifyouwanttoreadortosinganyoneon'emoffstraight，you'veonlytowhiponyourspectaclesanddoit！'criedMrBoffin。
　　'Iseeyouatit！'
　　'Well，sir，'returnedMrWegg，withaconsciousinclinationofthehead；'we'llsayliterary，then。'
　　'“Aliteraryman——WITHawoodenleg——andallPrintisopentohim！“That'swhatIthoughttomyself，thatmorning，'pursuedMrBoffin，leaningforwardtodescribe，uncrampedbytheclotheshorse，aslargeanarcashisrightarmcouldmake；'“allPrintisopentohim！“Anditis，ain'tit?'
　　'Why，truly，sir，'MrWeggadmitted，withmodesty；'Ibelieveyoucouldn'tshowmethepieceofEnglishprint，thatIwouldn'tbeequaltocollaringandthrowing。'
　　'Onthespot?'saidMrBoffin。
　　'Onthespot。'
　　'Iknow'dit！Thenconsiderthis。HereamI，amanwithoutawoodenleg，andyetallprintisshuttome。'
　　'Indeed，sir?'MrWeggreturnedwithincreasingself-complacency。
　　'Educationneglected?'
　　'Neg——lected！'repeatedBoffin，withemphasis。'Thatain'tnowordforit。Idon'tmeantosaybutwhatifyoushowedmeaB，Icouldsofargiveyouchangeforit，astoanswerBoffin。'
　　'Come，come，sir，'saidMrWegg，throwinginalittleencouragement，'that'ssomething，too。'
　　'It'ssomething，'answeredMrBoffin，'butI'lltakemyoathitain'tmuch。'
　　'Perhapsit'snotasmuchascouldbewishedbyaninquiringmind，sir，'MrWeggadmitted。
　　'Now，lookhere。I'mretiredfrombusiness。MeandMrsBoffin——
　　HeneriettyBoffin——whichherfather'snamewasHenery，andhermother'snamewasHetty，andsoyougetit——weliveonacompittance，underthewillofadiseasedgovernor。'
　　'Gentlemandead，sir?'
　　'Manalive，don'tItellyou?Adiseasedgovernor?Now，it'stoolateformetobeginshovellingandsiftingatalphabedsandgrammar-books。I'mgettingtobeaoldbird，andIwanttotakeiteasy。ButIwantsomereading——somefineboldreading，somesplendidbookinagorgingLord-Mayor's-Showofwollumes'
　　probablymeaninggorgeous，butmisledbyassociationofideas；
　　'as'llreachrightdownyourpintofview，andtaketimetogobyyou。HowcanIgetthatreading，Wegg?By，'tappinghimonthebreastwiththeheadofhisthickstick，'payingamantrulyqualifiedtodoit，somuchanhoursaytwopencetocomeanddoit。'
　　'Hem！Flattered，sir，Iamsure，'saidWegg，beginningtoregardhimselfinquiteanewlight。'Hew！Thisistheofferyoumentioned，sir?'
　　'Yes。Doyoulikeit?'
　　'Iamconsideringofit，MrBoffin。'
　　'Idon't，'saidBoffin，inafree-handedmanner，'wanttotiealiteraryman——WITHawoodenleg——downtootight。Ahalfpennyanhourshan'tpartus。Thehoursareyourowntochoose，afteryou'vedoneforthedaywithyourhousehere。IliveoverMaiden-Laneway——
　　outHollowaydirection——andyou'veonlygottogoEast-and-by-
　　Northwhenyou'vefinishedhere，andyou'rethere。Twopencehalfpennyanhour，'saidBoffin，takingapieceofchalkfromhispocketandgettingoffthestooltoworkthesumonthetopofitinhisownway；'twolong'unsandashort'un——twopencehalfpenny；
　　twoshort'unsisalong'unandtwotwolong'unsisfourlong'uns——
　　makingfivelong'uns；sixnightsaweekatfivelong'unsanight，'
　　scoringthemalldownseparately，'andyoumountuptothirtylong'uns。Around'un！Halfacrown！'
　　Pointingtothisresultasalargeandsatisfactoryone，MrBoffinsmeareditoutwithhismoistenedglove，andsatdownontheremains。
　　'Halfacrown，'saidWegg，meditating。'Yes。Itain'tmuch，sir。
　　Halfacrown。'
　　'Perweek，youknow。'
　　'Perweek。Yes。Astotheamountofstrainupontheintellectnow。
　　Wasyouthinkingatallofpoetry?'MrWegginquired，musing。
　　'Woulditcomedearer?'MrBoffinasked。
　　'Itwouldcomedearer，'MrWeggreturned。'Forwhenapersoncomestogrindoffpoetrynightafternight，itisbutrightheshouldexpecttobepaidforitsweakeningeffectonhismind。'
　　'TotellyouthetruthWegg，'saidBoffin，'Iwasn'tthinkingofpoetry，exceptinsofurasthis:——IfyouwastohappennowandthentofeelyourselfinthemindtotipmeandMrsBoffinoneofyourballads，whythenweshoulddropintopoetry。'
　　'Ifollowyou，sir，'saidWegg。'Butnotbeingaregularmusicalprofessional，Ishouldbeloathtoengagemyselfforthat；andthereforewhenIdroppedintopoetry，Ishouldasktobeconsideredsofur，inthelightofafriend。'
　　Atthis，MrBoffin'seyessparkled，andheshookSilasearnestlybythehand:protestingthatitwasmorethanhecouldhaveasked，andthathetookitverykindlyindeed。
　　'Whatdoyouthinkoftheterms，Wegg?'MrBoffinthendemanded，withunconcealedanxiety。
　　Silas，whohadstimulatedthisanxietybyhishardreserveofmanner，andwhohadbeguntounderstandhismanverywell，repliedwithanair；asifheweresayingsomethingextraordinarilygenerousandgreat:
　　'MrBoffin，Ineverbargain。'
　　'SoIshouldhavethoughtofyou！'saidMrBoffin，admiringly。'No，sir。Ineverdid'aggleandIneverwill'aggle。ConsequentlyImeetyouatonce，freeandfair，with——Done，fordoublethemoney！'
　　MrBoffinseemedalittleunpreparedforthisconclusion，butassented，withtheremark，'YouknowbetterwhatitoughttobethanIdo，Wegg，'andagainshookhandswithhimuponit。
　　'Couldyoubegintonight，Wegg?'hethendemanded。
　　'Yes，sir，'saidMrWegg，carefultoleavealltheeagernesstohim。
　　'Iseenodifficultyifyouwishit。Youareprovidedwiththeneedfulimplement——abook，sir?'
　　'Boughthimatasale，'saidMrBoffin。'Eightwollumes。Redandgold。Purpleribbonineverywollume，tokeeptheplacewhereyouleaveoff。Doyouknowhim?'
　　'Thebook'sname，sir?'inquiredSilas。
　　'Ithoughtyoumighthaveknow'dhimwithoutit，'saidMrBoffinslightlydisappointed。'HisnameisDecline-And-Fall-Off-The-
　　Rooshan-Empire。'MrBoffinwentoverthesestonesslowlyandwithmuchcaution。
　　'Ayindeed！'saidMrWegg，noddinghisheadwithanairoffriendlyrecognition。
　　'Youknowhim，Wegg?'
　　'Ihaven'tbeennottosayrightslapthroughhim，verylately，'MrWeggmadeanswer，'havingbeenotherwaysemployed，MrBoffin。
　　Butknowhim?OldfamiliardecliningandfallingofftheRooshan?Rather，sir！EversinceIwasnotsohighasyourstick。
　　Eversincemyeldestbrotherleftourcottagetoenlistintothearmy。
　　Onwhichoccasion，astheballadthatwasmadeaboutitdescribes:
　　'Besidethatcottagedoor，MrBoffin，Agirlwasonherknees；
　　Sheheldaloftasnowyscarf，Sir，Whichmyeldestbrothernoticedflutteredinthebreeze。
　　Shebreathedaprayerforhim，MrBoffin；
　　Aprayerhecooldnothear。
　　Andmyeldestbrotherlean'duponhissword，MrBoffin，Andwipedawayatear。'
　　Muchimpressedbythisfamilycircumstance，andalsobythefriendlydispositionofMrWegg，asexemplifiedinhissosoondroppingintopoetry，MrBoffinagainshookhandswiththatligneoussharper，andbesoughthimtonamehishour。MrWeggnamedeight。
　　'WhereIlive，'saidMrBoffin，'iscalledTheBower。Boffin'sBoweristhenameMrsBoffinchristeneditwhenwecomeintoitasaproperty。Ifyoushouldmeetwithanybodythatdon'tknowitbythatnamewhichhardlyanybodydoes，whenyou'vegotnighuponaboutaoddmile，orsayandaquarterifyoulike，upMaidenLane，BattleBridge，askforHarmonyJail，andyou'llbeputright。
　　Ishallexpectyou，Wegg，'saidMrBoffin，clappinghimontheshoulderwiththegreatestenthusiasm，'mostjoyfully。Ishallhavenopeaceorpatiencetillyoucome。Printisnowopeningaheadofme。Thisnight，aliteraryman——WITHawoodenleg——'hebestowedanadmiringlookuponthatdecoration，asifitgreatlyenhancedtherelishofMrWegg'sattainments——'willbegintoleadmeanewlife！Myfistagain，Wegg。Morning，morning，morning！'
　　Leftaloneathisstallastheotherambledoff，MrWeggsubsidedintohisscreen，producedasmallpocket-handkerchiefofapenitentially-scrubbingcharacter，andtookhimselfbythenosewithathoughtfulaspect。Also，whilehestillgraspedthatfeature，hedirectedseveralthoughtfullooksdownthestreet，aftertheretiringfigureofMrBoffin。But，profoundgravitysatenthronedonWegg'scountenance。For，whileheconsideredwithinhimselfthatthiswasanoldfellowofraresimplicity，thatthiswasanopportunitytobeimproved，andthatheremighthemoneytobegotbeyondpresentcalculation，stillhecompromisedhimselfbynoadmissionthathisnewengagementwasatalloutofhisway，orinvolvedtheleastelementoftheridiculous。MrWeggwouldevenhavepickedahandsomequarrelwithanyonewhoshouldhavechallengedhisdeepacquaintancewiththoseaforesaideightvolumesofDeclineandFall。Hisgravitywasunusual，portentous，andimmeasurable，notbecauseheadmittedanydoubtofhimselfbutbecauseheperceiveditnecessarytoforestallanydoubtofhimselfinothers。Andhereinherangedwiththatverynumerousclassofimpostors，whoarequiteasdeterminedtokeepupappearancestothemselves，astotheirneighbours。
　　Acertainloftiness，likewise，tookpossessionofMrWegg；acondescendingsenseofbeinginrequestasanofficialexpounderofmysteries。Itdidnotmovehimtocommercialgreatness，butrathertolittleness，insomuchthatifithadbeenwithinthepossibilitiesofthingsforthewoodenmeasuretoholdfewernutsthanusual，itwouldhavedonesothatday。But，whennightcame，andwithherveiledeyesbeheldhimstumpingtowardsBoffin'sBower，hewaselatedtoo。
　　TheBowerwasasdifficulttofind，asFairRosamond'swithouttheclue。MrWegg，havingreachedthequarterindicated，inquiredfortheBowerhalfadozentimeswithouttheleastsuccess，untilherememberedtoaskforHarmonyJail。Thisoccasionedaquickchangeinthespiritsofahoarsegentlemanandadonkey，whomhehadmuchperplexed。
　　'Why，yermeanOldHarmon's，doyer?'saidthehoarsegentleman，whowasdrivinghisdonkeyinatruck，withacarrotforawhip。
　　'Whydidn'tyerniversayso?Eddardandmeisagoin'byHIM！
　　Jumpin。'
　　MrWeggcomplied，andthehoarsegentlemaninvitedhisattentiontothethirdpersonincompany，thus；
　　'Now，youlookatEddard'sears。Whatwasitasyounamed，agin?
　　Whisper。'
　　MrWeggwhispered，'Boffin'sBower。'
　　'Eddard！keepyerhionhisearscutawaytoBoffin'sBower！'
　　Edward，withhisearslyingback，remainedimmoveable。
　　'Eddard！keepyerhionhisearscutawaytoOldHarmon's。'
　　Edwardinstantlyprickeduphisearstotheirutmost，andrattledoffatsuchapacethatMrWegg'sconversationwasjoltedoutofhiminamostdislocatedstate。
　　'Was-it-Ev-verajail?'askedMrWegg，holdingon。
　　'Notaproperjail，wotyouandmewouldgetcommittedto，'
　　returnedhisescort；'theygiv'itthename，onaccountsofOldHarmonlivingsolitarythere。'
　　'And-why-did-they-callitharm-Ony?'askedWegg。
　　'Onaccountsofhisneveragreeingwithnobody。Likeaspeechesofchaff。Harmon'sJail；HarmonyJail。Workingitroundlike。'
　　'Doyouknow-Mist-Erboff-in?'askedWegg。
　　'Ishouldthinkso！Everybodydoabouthere。Eddardknowshim。
　　Keepyerhionhisears。NoddyBoffin，Eddard！'
　　Theeffectofthenamewassoveryalarming，inrespectofcausingatemporarydisappearanceofEdward'shead，castinghishindhoofsintheair，greatlyacceleratingthepaceandincreasingthejolting，thatMrWeggwasfaintodevotehisattentionexclusivelytoholdingon，andtorelinquishhisdesireofascertainingwhetherthishomagetoBoffinwastobeconsideredcomplimentaryorthereverse。
　　Presently，Edwardstoppedatagateway，andWeggdiscreetlylostnotimeinslippingoutatthebackofthetruck。Themomenthewaslanded，hislatedriverwithawaveofthecarrot，said'Supper，Eddard！'andhe，thehindhoofs，thetruck，andEdward，allseemedtoflyintotheairtogether，inakindofapotheosis。
　　Pushingthegate，whichstoodajar，Wegglookedintoanenclosedspacewherecertaintalldarkmoundsrosehighagainstthesky，andwherethepathwaytotheBowerwasindicated，asthemoonlightshowed，betweentwolinesofbrokencrockerysetinashes。Awhitefigureadvancingalongthispath，provedtobenothingmoreghostlythanMrBoffin，easilyattiredforthepursuitofknowledge，inanundressgarmentofshortwhitesmock-frock。
　　Havingreceivedhisliteraryfriendwithgreatcordiality，heconductedhimtotheinterioroftheBowerandtherepresentedhimtoMrsBoffin:——astoutladyofarubicundandcheerfulaspect，dressedtoMrWegg'sconsternationinalowevening-dressofsablesatin，andalargeblackvelvethatandfeathers。
　　'MrsBoffin，Wegg，'saidBoffin，'isahighflyeratFashion。Andhermakeissuch，thatshedoesitcredit。AstomyselfIain'tyetasFash'nableasImaycometobe。Henerietty，oldlady，thisisthegentlemanthat'sagoingtodeclineandfallofftheRooshanEmpire。'
　　'AndIamsureIhopeit'lldoyoubothgood，'saidMrsBoffin。
　　Itwasthequeerestofrooms，fittedandfurnishedmorelikealuxuriousamateurtap-roomthananythingelsewithinthekenofSilasWegg。Thereweretwowoodensettlesbythefire，oneoneithersideofit，withacorrespondingtablebeforeeach。Ononeofthesetables，theeightvolumeswererangedflat，inarow，likeagalvanicbattery；ontheother，certainsquatcase-bottlesofinvitingappearanceseemedtostandontiptoetoexchangeglanceswithMrWeggoverafrontrowoftumblersandabasinofwhitesugar。Onthehob，akettlesteamed；onthehearth，acatreposed。Facingthefirebetweenthesettles，asofa，afootstool，andalittletable，formedacentrepiecedevotedtoMrsBoffin。Theyweregarishintasteandcolour，butwereexpensivearticlesofdrawing-roomfurniturethathadaveryoddlookbesidethesettlesandtheflaringgaslightpendentfromtheceiling。Therewasaflowerycarpetonthefloor；but，insteadofreachingtothefireside，itsglowingvegetationstoppedshortatMrsBoffin'sfootstool，andgaveplacetoaregionofsandandsawdust。MrWeggalsonoticed，withadmiringeyes，that，whiletheflowerylanddisplayedsuchhollowornamentationasstuffedbirdsandwaxenfruitsunderglass-
　　shades，therewere，intheterritorywherevegetationceased，compensatoryshelvesonwhichthebestpartofalargepieandlikewiseofacoldjointwereplainlydiscernibleamongothersolids。Theroomitselfwaslarge，thoughlow；andtheheavyframesofitsold-fashionedwindows，andtheheavybeamsinitscrookedceiling，seemedtoindicatethatithadoncebeenahouseofsomemarkstandingaloneinthecountry。
　　'Doyoulikeit，Wegg?'askedMrBoffin，inhispouncingmanner。
　　'Iadmireitgreatly，sir，'saidWegg。'Peculiarcomfortatthisfireside，sir。'
　　'Doyouunderstandit，Wegg?'
　　'Why，inageneralway，sir，'MrWeggwasbeginningslowlyandknowingly，withhisheadstuckononeside，asevasivepeopledobegin，whentheothercuthimshort:
　　'YouDON'Tunderstandit，Wegg，andI'llexplainit。ThesearrangementsismadebymutualconsentbetweenMrsBoffinandme。MrsBoffin，asI'vementioned，isahighflyeratFashion；atpresentI'mnot。Idon'tgohigherthancomfort，andcomfortofthesortthatI'mequaltotheenjoymentof。Wellthen。WherewouldbethegoodofMrsBoffinandmequarrellingoverit?Weneverdidquarrel，beforewecomeintoBoffin'sBowerasaproperty；whyquarrelwhenweHAVEcomeintoBoffin'sBowerasaproperty?
　　SoMrsBoffin，shekeepsupherpartoftheroom，inherway；I
　　keepupmypartoftheroominmine。Inconsequenceofwhichwehaveatonce，SociabilityIshouldgomelancholymadwithoutMrsBoffin，Fashion，andComfort。IfIgetbydegreestobeahigher-
　　flyeratFashion，thenMrsBoffinwillbydegreescomefor'arder。IfMrsBoffinshouldeverbelessofadabatFashionthansheisatthepresenttime，thenMrsBoffin'scarpetwouldgoback'arder。Ifweshouldbothcontinnyasweare，whythenHEREweare，andgiveusakiss，oldlady。'
　　MrsBoffinwho，perpetuallysmiling，hadapproachedanddrawnherplumparmthroughherlord's，mostwillinglycomplied。
　　Fashion，intheformofherblackvelvethatandfeathers，triedtopreventit；butgotdeservedlycrushedintheendeavour。
　　'Sonow，Wegg，'saidMrBoffin，wipinghismouthwithanairofmuchrefreshment，'youbegintoknowusasweare。Thisisacharmingspot，istheBower，butyoumustgettoapprechiateitbydegrees。It'saspottofindoutthemeritsof；littlebylittle，andanew'uneveryday。There'saserpentiningwalkupeachofthemounds，thatgivesyoutheyardandneighbourhoodchangingeverymoment。Whenyougettothetop，there'saviewoftheneighbouringpremises，nottobesurpassed。ThepremisesofMrsBoffin'slatefatherCanineProvisionTrade，youlookdowninto，asiftheywasyourown。AndthetopoftheHighMoundiscrownedwithalattice-workArbour，inwhich，ifyoudon'treadoutloudmanyabookinthesummer，ay，andasafriend，dropmanyatimeintopoetrytoo，itshan'tbemyfault。Now，what'llyoureadon?'
　　'Thankyou，sir，'returnedWegg，asiftherewerenothingnewinhisreadingatall。'Igenerallydoitonginandwater。'
　　'Keepstheorganmoist，doesit，Wegg?'askedMrBoffin，withinnocenteagerness。
　　'N-no，sir，'repliedWegg，coolly，'Ishouldhardlydescribeitso，sir。
　　Ishouldsay，mellersit。Mellersit，isthewordIshouldemploy，MrBoffin。'
　　Hiswoodenconceitandcraftkeptexactpacewiththedelightedexpectationofhisvictim。Thevisionsrisingbeforehismercenarymind，ofthemanywaysinwhichthisconnexionwastobeturnedtoaccount，neverobscuredtheforemostideanaturaltoadulloverreachingman，thathemustnotmakehimselftoocheap。
　　MrsBoffin'sFashion，asalessinexorabledeitythantheidolusuallyworshippedunderthatname，didnotforbidhermixingforherliteraryguest，oraskingifhefoundtheresulttohisliking。Onhisreturningagraciousanswerandtakinghisplaceattheliterarysettle，MrBoffinbegantocomposehimselfasalistener，attheoppositesettle，withexultanteyes。
　　'Sorrytodepriveyouofapipe，Wegg，'hesaid，fillinghisown，'butyoucan'tdobothtogether。Oh！andanotherthingIforgottoname！
　　Whenyoucomeinhereofanevening，andlookroundyou，andnoticeanythingonashelfthathappenstocatchyourfancy，mentionit。'
　　Wegg，whohadbeengoingtoputonhisspectacles，immediatelylaidthemdown，withthesprightlyobservation:
　　'Youreadmythoughts，sir。DOmyeyesdeceiveme，oristhatobjectuptherea——apie?Itcan'tbeapie。'
　　'Yes，it'sapie，Wegg，'repliedMrBoffin，withaglanceofsomelittlediscomfitureattheDeclineandFall。
　　'HAVEIlostmysmellforfruits，orisitaapplepie，sir?'askedWegg。
　　'It'savealandhampie，'saidMrBoffin。
　　'Isitindeed，sir?Anditwouldbehard，sir，tonamethepiethatisabetterpiethanawealandhammer，'saidMrWegg，noddinghisheademotionally。
　　'Havesome，Wegg?'
　　'Thankyou，MrBoffin，IthinkIwill，atyourinvitation。Iwouldn'tatanyotherparty's，atthepresentjuncture；butatyours，sir！——Andmeatyjellytoo，especiallywhenalittlesalt，whichisthecasewherethere'sham，ismelleringtotheorgan，isverymelleringtotheorgan。'MrWeggdidnotsaywhatorgan，butspokewithacheerfulgenerality。
　　So，thepiewasbroughtdown，andtheworthyMrBoffinexercisedhispatienceuntilWegg，intheexerciseofhisknifeandfork，hadfinishedthedish:onlyprofitingbytheopportunitytoinformWeggthatalthoughitwasnotstrictlyFashionabletokeepthecontentsofalarderthusexposedtoview，heMrBoffinconsideredithospitable；forthereason，thatinsteadofsaying，inacomparativelyunmeaningmanner，toavisitor，'Therearesuchandsuchediblesdownstairs；willyouhaveanythingup?'youtooktheboldpracticalcourseofsaying，'Castyoureyealongtheshelves，and，ifyouseeanythingyoulikethere，haveitdown。'
　　Andnow，MrWeggatlengthpushedawayhisplateandputonhisspectacles，andMrBoffinlightedhispipeandlookedwithbeamingeyesintotheopeningworldbeforehim，andMrsBoffinreclinedinafashionablemanneronhersofa:asonewhowouldbepartoftheaudienceifshefoundshecould，andwouldgotosleepifshefoundshecouldn't。
　　'Hem！'beganWegg，'This，MrBoffinandLady，isthefirstchapterofthefirstwollumeoftheDeclineandFalloff——'herehelookedhardatthebook，andstopped。
　　'What'sthematter，Wegg?'
　　'Why，itcomesintomymind，doyouknow，sir，'saidWeggwithanairofinsinuatingfranknesshavingfirstagainlookedhardatthebook，'thatyoumadealittlemistakethismorning，whichIhadmeanttosetyourightin，onlysomethingputitoutofmyhead。I
　　thinkyousaidRooshanEmpire，sir?'
　　'ItisRooshan；ain'tit，Wegg?'
　　'No，sir。Roman。Roman。'
　　'What'sthedifference，Wegg?'
　　'Thedifference，sir?'MrWeggwasfalteringandindangerofbreakingdown，whenabrightthoughtflasheduponhim。'Thedifference，sir?Thereyouplacemeinadifficulty，MrBoffin。